Edo faults U.S on advisory

The Edo State Government on Thursday faulted the travel advisory of the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the United States Department of State and declared that the state is safe.

It claimed that Edo State is the safest in the South-South.

The state made the clarifications in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

The state said it was unbelievable that the advisory left out some states which had been recording violent crimes on daily basis.

The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to a travel advisory issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the United States Department of State which listed Edo State as unsafe for visitors during this holiday season.

“We find it laughable that Edo State is on the list, and this might suggest that the U.S Department of State is not in tune with events in Nigeria.

“While we are unclear on the parameters used by the Department of State, we however make bold to state, and this can be confirmed from the security agencies in the country, that Edo State is the safest in the South-South region of Nigeria and one of the safest in the country.

“It beats the imagination of discerning minds that while some states which record violent crimes on a daily basis in the country are excluded from the list, Edo State which has been commended by all, including the World Bank which, through its Country Director, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly said: “Edo State’s social indicators are above the national average” and which had earlier been confirmed by her predecessor, Mr. Onno Ruhl, who said, “Edo State is one of the states in Nigeria where the willingness to change is the fastest in Nigeria”, is included in the offensive U.S list.

“Those who come to equity must do so with clean hands. If the U.S Department of State could include Edo in its advisory list, then it should also issue a travel warning to citizens of the world to avoid Connecticut where 20 innocent Elementary School Students and six of their teachers were cut down in the confines of their classrooms just two weeks ago,

“It would do good to also issue a travel advisory to people of the World on New Jersey which, according to the Cable News network (CNN) “has already suffered 65 violent deaths in 2012” and on Philadelphia where the “the year-to-date total of homicides is 322. Last year, 324 were killed.”

The statement added that Governor Adams Oshiomhole had done much to improve the security situation in the state than any government in the country.

If the U.S Department of State could include Edo in its advisory list, then it should also issue a travel warning to citizens of the world to avoid Connecticut where 20 innocent Elementary School Students and six of their teachers were cut down in the confines of their classrooms just two weeks ago,

“It would do good to also issue a travel advisory to people of the World on New Jersey which, according to the Cable News network (CNN) “has already suffered 65 violent deaths in 2012” and on Philadelphia where the “the year-to-date total of homicides is 322. Last year, 324 were killed.”
Sometimes, it is very imperative to tell them the truth. He who must come to equity must do so with clean hands. Good talk Edo State.

Jo

Edo, Abia, imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra states as well as Rivers, akwa Ibom, Osun, Ogun, Oyo and all the Northern states are very dangerous and a haven for kidnappers. The problem in the US is lack of gun control with mentally ill people able to get guns. Nigeria is not a safe country, and greedy corrupt individuals sponsor these criminals. Why cry when the US labels Nigeria an unsafe place? The economist from the US who returned to his family home in Igbo land was murdered by kidnappers, and we feel our country is safe. What about Boko Haram, Armed robbers, corrupt politicians and the vicious kidnappers? Nigeria is not a safe place, maybe you live abroad and work 9 to 5, but that is not life in Nigeria. Maybe government will buck up and kill these criminals and stop playing with the lives of Nigerians. If Nigeria is such a safe country, why is it that a citizen cannot travel after dark and feel safe on any highway in Nigeria?

Anenih Anini

The same Edo where armed robbers operated unhindered for hours? The US has a duty to warn its citizens, and no amount of “what about you” posturing can change that! And carpet-crossing Julius, with his long sojourn in the US, is the last person to be pontificating about equity!

Paul

Were those comments really Prof Ihonvbere’s? The comments went too far. They should have stopped at pointing out how safe Edo State is. The mention of violent incidents in the US (over which the Country is still in mourning) is in bad taste. Like Anini said, “what about you posturing” is unhelpful here and, in any case, should be left to beer parlour commentators.

Gabriel o

What the governor and his subordinates are best at is attacking and abusing. They lack constructive critizism and ability to read and understand. please read this warnings again and try to gasp the issues, logic necessity and the goodness of it for thier citizens.
Then think of how they affect your peoples too and ways to improve the insecurity situation for them for once.
Stop drinking, looting, womanising etc. for a change! SERVE THE PEOPLE STOP SERVING YOURSELVES.

Let us learn to always say rhe truth when it is issues dealing with security. It beat my imagination when the SSG to Edo State is speaking through both sides of his mouth. Edo State is part of Nigeria where insecurity is currently a serious challenge. Defending that Edo State is safe is not true. There are reported cases of kidnapping, armed robbering, ritual killing to mention but afew. Edo State should accept its inclusion in the list and do more to tackle the security challenges facing the state instead of saying what about you America.

Dele Ogunremi

Response of the Edo State government shows ignorance.

1. Edo state government should stop comparing itself to other states in Nigeria and should have responded by stating that visitors to Edo state can expect to be safe, preferably with statistics to back up its position.

2. Social indicators especially the one referred to by the World bank Director have nothing to do whether visitors to the state are kidnanpped or face a risk of harm.

3. There is no “equity” at stake in the US travel advisory. The US is not trying to compare itself to Edo state. Rather, it is warning its citizens about risks they face if they travel to Edo state. Risks do not always translate to harm rather, it is an expression of probability of harm.

If Edo state chooses to compare itself to the US, the event at Conneticut not only betrays ignorance, it is also a reflection of very shalllow thinking. Visitors to Conneticut are not likely to travel to a school where a lone gunman might attack them. A visitor to Connecticut could meet with harm but the risk is so low and almost non existent and does not warrant a travel advisory.

4. A wiser response from Edo state should have acknowledged the desirability of any responsible government (in this case the US government) to warn of its citizens of hazards, and can be followed by instances where the Edo state government has acted in a similar and responsible manner to warn or protect her own citizens. The response could then conclude with a firm commitment to protect citizens and visitors and a plea for visitors to come and enjoy what Edo state has to offer (Remember: travelers and tourists are a good source of financial resource).

5. Those entrusted with public trust and governance should think, write, and think again before releasing statement to the press.

A bad response makes a government looks more incompetent that it might actually be.

Disclaimer: The above comments are personal views of Dele Ogunremi and are not a reflection of T.U.R.N.’s policy.

Tote Real

Edo State is not in safe hands, recently two prominent Edo persons were kidnapped in broad day light. Arm robberies when on for hours in auchi using bombs and a sophisticated weapons.

Oshiomhole should get a grip with reality and provide security for the people. Instead jotting about the world including America.

oj

To claim that Edo state is safe is rubbish. This year the Governors aids were killed , the governor himself escaped death by devine grace .sometime ago the musician Bayo Ade was murdered. This are few prominent cases. Mr Secretary to State Government who are you fooling . It is better if you keep quiet on this issue.It is not the duty of US government to warn Nigerians or other nationals not to visit connecticut or US but the duty of Nigerian government or her embassy. It shows you know nothing about how diplomatic things run in government. Insecurity is in Nigeria . It doesnt exclude Edo state , wether below or above national average .I urge you to read the satatement properly again and digest its content